La Grande Vitesse, Alexander Calder

Grand Rapids, Michigan is celebrating the 40th anniversary of La Grande Vitesse, an incredible Alexander Calder sculpture that anchors the downtown area from its throne in Vandenburg Square. LGV was installed in June of 1969, with the artist in attendance, and was the very first work of public art in America to be completely funded by a combination of resources from the National Endowment for the Arts along with private support.

We had to beg our way in to see the sculpture early Sunday morning due to its having been secured ... along with the food booths etc of a Latino cultural festival in the square. I couldn't get an unobstructed view for a photograph. Every angle included a sausage or drinks booth. So here's a detail view.

I can wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Grand Rapids. We're definitely returning some day.

La Grande Vitesse

Grand Rapids, MI